John Growney greeted the 30 youth and their parents, 8 years and older at the PRCA Rodeo Camp at his ranch last Saturday.

PRCA started these Rodeo Camps in 2009 and the Red Bluff Round-Up Committee with directors Jolene Kemen and Ted Standard, has been chosen to host a camp the last five years.

It is quite an honor because the other PRCA Rodeo Camps will be in Coeur D'Alene, ID; Gerry, NY; Prescott, AZ; Dayton, IA; Craig, CO; Dodge City, KS; Palestine, IL and Albuquerque, NM in 2014.

I was impressed with the Justin Sports Medicine doctor, Red Bluff's Dr. Riico Dotson, as he urged the boys to learn from a pro, understand the techniques of how to make a ride, plus have proper equipment. He emphasized proper nutrition with a healthy diet, eating in moderation and the basic food groups. Stay hydrated and drink lots fluids, especially water.

Then he mentioned that the boys need strength and conditioning programs with weight training, aerobics and develop flexibility. Develop endurance with walking and cycling, routine stretching with weights. This is for injury prevention.

My notes mentioned "Get in a martial arts program for at least six months to develop bone density and muscle. It will give you an advantage."

The saddle bronc/bareback instructor Nick Laduke mentioned how the Wright Brothers go to their high school wrestling coach because flexibility makes a good bronc rider. Work on the hamstrings, quads, hip stretches, practice crossing knees for flexibility.

The equipment is very, very important. Don't get a bronc saddle that has a slight crack, because it will break. New saddle leathers will make your feet fast. When buying a used saddle, have a saddle maker like Judd Miller look at it before buying, because you need balance in a saddle.

When finding a mentor to help you, get a person who has been there.

I imagine that Justin Andrade, the bull riding instructor was just as informative as Nick Laduke.

Welcome back Linda

The Fun Senior Aerobics at the Community Center at 8 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays was delighted to have former instructor Linda Hays back last Tuesday.

When social media attacks

The social media, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, can and does go viral.

Usually it is good, but Wednesday, the 9th, was a different story when the Growney Brothers Rodeo Co. was caught in a vicious attack by Guerilla Media Network and Peter Santilli.

As the Growney website read: "So, here we are in Logandale, NV, getting ready for our first rodeo of the year — the Clark County Rodeo..and we start getting calls about us stealing somebody's cattle!!!! Someone took pictures of our rig here and people with Facebook pages under the names of Guerilla Media Network and Pete Santilli have been posting them, accusing us. You can read what they said on the posts. It is so disturbing that people just follow what these people say — they don't check facts — people are reposting and are threatening us and Growney Motors. Here's those initial posts and a few others. If you know any of these people, please let them know we are in Logandale for the rodeo!!!"

"I could predict some misfortune heading toward the Growney Bros right about now and in the future," was one threat.

Guerilla Media Network posted the following with 418 likes and 383 shares in 6 hours, "these are some of the bastards hired by the US Govt to steal #bundyranch Cattle. New contract...brand new trucks." Peter T. Satilli posted the same thing.

There was a photo of Growney Bros. Rodeo Co. pickup and stock trailer.

Chris Roberts wrote "in the old west cattle stealing was punishable by death, maybe we should go back to the old days?" 95 likes

Ryan Hall wrote "they said it will cost 3 million to round up a few hundred cows. Now we know where the money is going. We could do it with $ 1,500 and 2 weeks here in west TX. Not that we would ever work for a thuggish govt out here."

While friends of John posted: "A story about a rancher named Bundy was on the news last night...The FEDS are hiring private hands to round up his cows because they say he is running them illegally on federal land. You just pulled into town on the wrong day. The Feds say he quit paying grazing fees and has his cows are on land that is set aside for an endangered tortoise..those people must think you guys are in on the round up.."

"Wow, that's crazy!!! People are bloodthirsty and they have no idea even what they are talking about. Be careful out there!"

"Man John what a mess!!! You are True Cowboy and Gentleman! Those of us that know you will stick up for you to the Moon and Back!"

"Wow..a government hired company? Really? Some have no clue! Hope everything gets straightened out quickly, those who know you will know better!"

"So sad some are so misinformed about subjects and choose to spread incorrect information."

Finally, Thursday morning this was posted. "To the Growney family, their friends and relations. Guerilla Media Network would like to issue a formal apology for remarks made about them being involved with the activity of the BLM against the Bundy family. While it is no excuse Guerilla Media was relying on information given by a local source. The photo and comments have been removed. To our readers and followers we would also like to say we are sorry and ask for your understanding as to how quickly information is received and processed. We promise to be more careful in the future."

Round-Up Mixer Thursday

See you at the Cattlemen's-Chamber Mixer on Thursday the 17th, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Reynolds Ranch & Farm Supply, for dancing, visiting and eating tri tip fajitas.